I was in elementary school when my mother taught me to sew. The first big project I made completely on my own, a dress, was hard, definitely, but I am nothing if not dogged and focused when I put my mind to something. The pattern had the option of using two coordinating fabrics which I decided to attempt. I made the whole thing from scrap pieces from my mother’s ample collection. I worked for hours and hours on that dress, even adding buttons up the straight skirt. I was so proud of myself, but what I remember most is how proud my mom was. That was the beginning of a lifelong love of sewing.
Sewing is, in some ways, a lost art. I’m teaching my daughter. Trying, anyway. She went to a fashion camp this summer for the second time. She doesn’t love sewing (it’s hard work, after all), but thanks to Project Runway, there seems to be a renewed interest in fashion, in general, and she will occasionally make things. She’s working on a rag quilt to take to her soccer games, so that’s exciting, and it will be so cool when it’s finished!
But attention spans are different now from when I was a kid, and it’s so easy to go into a store and buy something nice at a fairly reasonable price. So, why sew?
I asked myself this question as I came up with and wrote Pleating for Mercy, the first Magical Dressmaking mystery (which was released in August last year). What is it about sewing and fashion that inspires my character, Harlow Jane Cassidy (a descendent of Butch Cassidy)? What is it about sewing and fashion that inspires anyone who has a love for this craft?
For Harlow, it’s about the creativity, the art, and the heritage of hand sewing in her family. I have that in my family, as well. Generation upon generation of women have sewn, quilted, embroidered, and knitted. It’s a legacy, and that’s something infused in Harlow’s fictional DNA.
One of the best parts of writing this series is that I get to research fabrics, fashion, style, and accessories. I bought Nina Garcia’s (from Project Runway) The One Hundred (tips for every fashionable woman). I bought a book on vintage 1800s dress design (book 2, A Fitting End has Harlow creating a period gown for a town historical pageant). I get to buy dress forms and trims and myriad other goodies to inspire me. Deadly Patterns, book 3, releases in just three days! I can’t believe it’s around the corner. It’s a holiday themed book with a holiday pageant, a dead Santa, and a baby in a manger. I also got to take a Santa doll making class with my mom, and every step to making these very cool dolls is in the book (check them out in the picture…yes, my mom and I made these!)
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Doesn’t get more fun than this!
I may not have much time to actually sew, but I get to write about sewing machines, technique, and notions. And I get to peruse bridal magazines, and anything else that strikes my sewing fancy. It may not be the same as sitting down at my Pfaff® and creating a color-blocked dress or a quilted tote, but it works. For now.
So tell me, are there any sewers out there? Any quilters, knitters, or crocheters? What is your take on sewing for today’s generation of girls (and boys) as compared to what it was in the past?
Want to pre-order Deadly Patterns?
Please do! It’ll get you in the sewing spirit, and in the holiday spirit, too.
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About Misa
Hi Misa! Can’t wait for your new book! I started a quilt 8 years ago. It’s a king size-it’s half done and but we had a baby girl and well, I think that says it all. I have vowed to get it done for my son’s graduation. I will find the time (probably a month before the big day!)
Congrats on another book!
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Misa Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 8:58 am
What pattern is your quilt, Kym? That’s a great project! Quilting is so time consuming. My mom recently discovered a quilt shop with a long arm where she’s going to get her next quilt finished. Much easier that way!.
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I always admire people who can sew/knit/quilt/crochet. It’s so very arty. Something which I don’t have any talent for. And a skill which is defo being lost. The book sounds fab and the cover is goooorgeous!
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Misa Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Thank you, Amy!
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Hi Misa,
My mother sewed some when I was a kid- I really hated most of the stuff she made me (not because it was bad but she really wanted to put me in girlie clothes). I learned to knit when I got pregnant with my oldest and I’ve tried sewing simple things like napkins, aprons etc. I would love to take some real sewing classes. My mom cross-stitches a lot! And my MIL is an expert crocheter and all around crafty person. I think crochet might be my next “hobby”. And I don’t think they are dying. There has been a real resurgence in knitting and crocheting in younger people over the last several years. As far as sewing your own clothes.. I think there will always be people doing that, but I’m probably the only person my age that wishes they had had a real home-ec class in high school…
Looking forward to Deadly Patterns!!
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Misa Reply:
September 30th, 2012 at 8:59 am
I wish there was a fashion camp for adults! Each year my daughter has attended, all the moms make that comment! We’d all love to do something like that. There are actually quite a few places around that have sewing classes. Maybe someday! I agree that there’s a resurgence of younger people sewing, knitting, etc., which is so nice to see.
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Oh I love to quilt, I have an unfinished twin size I call Ice Cream Social. It has ice cream cones on the front (appliqued). Picking out the fabric for the ice cream scoops was so much fun, and allowed me to use some bright colors that really popped against the brown and gold backdrop. I also love, love, LOVE to re-purpose clothing. I pick up a great piece (especially vintage) that doesn’t quite work (has shoulder pads, frilly ruffles, etc) or doesn’t quite fit… snipping here and there, tucking in, removing or adding until I have a unique item to wear.
Right now I have a pair of nearly new bright white pumps (paid $2 at my fav thrift shop) that I’m recovering with fabric. I got the idea from Pinterest of all places, using material from my fabric stash and Mod Podge. Shockingly, it actually works LOL.
I wish I had more time for it, but I work an exhausting day job and I’m really focusing on learning my (writing) craft so that is using up what is left at the end of the day. But when I retire…… !
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Misa Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Ria, I love the whimsy of the Ice Cream Social quilt. I hear you with there not being enough time. There never is! What’s your pintrest handle? I’d love to see what you’re working on!!
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Ria Boulay Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Well Misa, until today I’ve actually only surfed Pinterest. I kept saying, “I’m an aspiring writer, I love pictures, I’ve got to create a board”… and never got around to it. I was going to offer to just send you the picture but decided to join. See what you did, you made me accomplish something!!
So I’m brand new, you will be the first person to visit and my user name (which I assume is my handle) is RiaBoulay. The ice cream social quilt (which isn’t bound yet) and a close up of one of the cones is under Crafts.
Thanks for the nudge
ps Please let me know if you don’t find me!
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Misa Reply:
October 9th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Going to check you out on Pinterest right now, Ria!